Deebee Bellfer looking to extend winning run

[Wandering Eyes]

Te Aroha mare Deebee Bellfer (NZ) (Preferment) has been in a purple patch of form of late and will be vying to extend her golden run when she heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the PGG Wrightson Grain 2100.

The five-year-old daughter of Preferment had more than 12 months on the sidelines but has hardly skipped a beat since resuming in January for trainer Gavin Opie, winning two and placing in four of her eight starts this year.

Deebee Bellfer has been in Opie’s care for the last six months and he said her break from racing was more about resetting her confidence levels following a fall nearly two years ago.

“She had a fall in her second race at Matamata and it took a little bit to get over that,” Opie said. “Shelley Wright started to do a bit of pre-training with her, and I have always had a good association with Mrs Bell (breeder-owner), and she sent her over here after she had done some pre-training.”

She has progressed all the way through her preparation, culminating with victories in her last two outings, and Opie is hopeful she can continue her winning ways when she steps up to rating 75 grade this weekend.

“I couldn’t be happier with her,” Opie said. “She had her first start in January, and I think she has only finished out of the top three on two occasions. She is flying and her work has been good.

“She has drawn a good barrier of six on Saturday and we have got a new jockey on in Kelly Myers. As long as she tracks into the race when she normally does, around the 800m, they will know she is there, and they will need to be on their best game.”

If she performs up to expectations, some loftier goals await her during winter.

“If she happened to win or run second we would have to look at the Taumarunui Cup in July and work our way back from there. We will have to give her a week or two in the paddock somewhere along the line.”

Stablemate Mister Pucci (NZ) (Puccini) is also entered for Te Rapa on Saturday but needs the assistance of a couple of scratchings to make the field for the Jarvis Trading Mile (1600m).

“He is third on the ballot, but there are a couple of nice races at Pukekohe in the next couple of weeks, so there is no drama if he doesn’t make the field,” Opie said.

“He is racing well, even on the firmer tracks, and once he gets a bit more toe in the ground he grows another leg. I am looking forward to him through the winter.”

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